Vietnam blocks 18 million mobile numbers pending SIM verification

Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology has enforced the new Thông tu 08/2026 on mobile‑subscriber verification. Effective 15 April, carriers must require users to confirm their SIM ownership through the VNeID electronic ID system. On 15 June 2026, approximately 18 million phone numbers that had not completed verification were subject to a one‑way lock, preventing outbound calls and SMS. The block applied to subscribers of major operators including Viettel (about 5 million numbers), VinaPhone (around 3 million) and other networks.

Customers can lift the restriction by authenticating their SIM via the VNeID app, carrier‑specific mobile apps (My Viettel, My VNPT, My MobiFone) or by visiting any of roughly 50,000 verification points nationwide. Elderly or disabled users may receive home assistance. If verification is not completed within 60 days, the lock becomes two‑way; after an additional five days, the number may be reclaimed by the regulator.

The measure aims to curb spam, fraudulent calls and scams linked to unregistered SIMs. Authorities report that over 93 million numbers have already been confirmed as belonging to the registered owner, while about 2 million have been marked as non‑owner. Roughly 10 million of the locked numbers are considered likely dormant or pre‑activated. The rollout caused crowds at verification centers, with many users reporting quick reinstatement after confirming their status.